Great Experience in South Korea

              Spring 2011 was the most unforgettable and efficient semester for me. I’ve studied in KyungHee University, Seoul, as an exchange student. However, when I was applying for KHU Exchange Program I had no idea what was waiting for me. 

             After arrival at Incheon Airport I was thrilled to see that everything was on a level with highest world standards. Seoul city is so multicultural and beautiful. The things I liked most were absolute safety and public order. KyungHee University is one of the best universities of South Korea and the quality of education proves it. As I noticed, “globalization” is the favourite concept of KHU administration and students. Professors were encouraging and supportive like our AUCA professors. As for students, they were very kind trying to make sure that everything was fine with me and my academic issues. The atmosphere was amazing. I also visited other universities of Seoul and was pleasantly surprised that KHU campus is the most beautiful among Seoul Universities. It was really hard to study since there was a huge amount of work to be done. So, I spent a lot of time in the library that was open for 24 hours.

           A huge and unforgettable experience I’ve got after studying in South Korea is going to help me in future!

 

-Asel Abdraimova, PSY 109

 

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Turkey: A Crossroads of East and West

             Are you still ignoring Career Center Service’s mail? Dear friends, you are losing some great opportunities for exciting experiences! This summer Ozyegin University became an AUCA partner university and invited our students to participate in an international summer program in Istanbul!

            Three lucky girls, Meerim Marat kyzy BA-108, Altynai Donabaeva ECO-108 and Dilfuza Karabaeva SOC-108, received from AUCA the Travel Grant Opportunity scholarship and spent a whole month in a capital of empires past, learning Turkish language and history, traveling, and having an unforgettable experience.

            “We loved the city shortly after we landed. Everything was great. We became good friends with program coordinators, classmates, professors and we are getting in touch with them and hope to see them all again,” the girls said.

            Ozyegin University (OzU) is a non-profit, state-recognized higher education institution with an international outlook situated in Istanbul, Turkey. OzU is a new private university, and has preparatory, undergraduate and graduate programs. The international summer program was first organized in 2010 and is focused on international students and aims to familiarize them with Turkish culture and history. It includes 10 lectures, 10 seminars, and field trips. The students visited famous historical places in Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophium Museum, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Taksim district. It also included a trip to the capital of Turkey, Ankara.

            “It was a great time I spent in Istanbul, I had a lot of fun, and I met new friends from other countries. I visited a lot of fascinating places, which I heard and dreamed about. Also we visited Istanbul Aquarium, the biggest thematic aquarium in the world, Miniaturk Park– a park of sightseeing miniatures, and Prince’s Islands, where we tasted their waffles and ride bicycles,” said Altynai Donbaeva.

            “We visited big shopping streets, called Kadikoy and Uskudar, shopping malls, such as Istinye Park, which is one of the biggest malls in the Istanbul, and Chevahir mall, the biggest entertainment center.  I did a great shopping there!” Dilfuza Karabaeva said.

            “For me, the most important thing is that I gained experience of international communication and traveled first time without parents,” Meerim Marat kyzy said. “I advise our students not to lose given chances and opportunities and try out this program.”

 

-Meerim Marat kyzy, BA 108

 

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Bard College: A Place to Grow

I found Bard College as a place where I could learn and develop in all my spheres of interest.

I really enjoyed the time I spent in Bard College. I loved both academic and extracurricular life at Bard.
Academically, Bard College is intensive and challenging. The most important thing I learned was how to study to achieve my academic goals. As an ICP student, it was very intersting for me to study at Bard and take courses from professors who have worked their entire lives in the International Relations field.
Also, Bard College has students from all over the world, and I had a chance to learn from them about different countries and their cultures.
Another awesome point about Bard College is that it has fabulous extracurricular options. Dance, sports, debates, music bands and many many others! Also, it is located close to New York City, so on weekends students can easily go there and explore this great cultural world.

Bard College courses are 4 credit and require more studying. Basically, I had to do more reading, more writing and more participation. At first, it was difficult to get used to that workload and manage my time to keep up with the requirements. Though, with the help of advisors and professors, I learned how I should study.

 

Bard and AUCA are actually have a lot in common. Most of all, what I liked Bard's Arts program. Bard College has a great conservatory, has a student museum on its campus. Bard students and faculty organize every month conservatory performances, they stage plays, dance concerts. Student bands perform their works. Bard college has a rich cultural life, and I really enjoyed it.
Also, every once in a while, world known artists come to Bard College or to nearest towns with performances. For example, while I was in Bard College I was able to go to the New York Theater Ballet's concert, and to see plays by different awesome theater troups.

 

-Asem Asfandiarova, ICP 108

 

 UGRAD 2012

Check out this video and see UGRAD for yourself!

-Batyr Shabdanov, JMC 109